Non-opaque, light-filtering phototypographic font

ABSTRACT

A phototypographic font of image characters comprising a nonopaque, light-filtering background area and a series of clear image characters formed in the non-opaque background area.

United States Patent Goldman [54] NON-OPAQUE, LIGHT-FILTERING PHOTOTYPOGRAPHIC FONT [72] Inventor: Henry Goldman, 35 Cypress Lane, Orangeburg, NY. 10962 221 Filed: Feb. 9, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 113,991

[4 1 July 25, 1972 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-M. Harris Attorney-Sydney B. Schlessel [57] ABSTRACT A phototypographic font of image characters comprising a non-opaque, light-filtering background area and a series of clear image characters formed in the non-opaque background area.

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\o I Harm Goaom NON-OPAQUE, LIGHT-FILTERING PHOTOTYPOGRAPHIC FONT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of contact phototypography encompassing the process of photographically exposing successive portions of a light-sensitive material progressively to a pre-selected series of image characters formed in a negative film or plate disposed in contact with the light-sensitive material, whereby a composition of textual or ornamental images is formed on the light-sensitive material, which is thereafter removed and chemically developed into a positive print of the composition. It has for its particular objective the creation of a negative film or stencil, commonly called a font, in which, while the image characters are clear and transparent, the background area surrounding the image characters is non-opaque and translucent, constituting a filter for exposing light yet allowing visibility therethrough of images disposed thereunder. This non-opaque font is employed in combination with a light-sensitive material, either paper or film, having the capability of oxidizing a small percentage of its silver content, when exposed to ultraviolet light, to form a visible latent image, whereby previously formed latent images on the light-sensitive material are viewable through the non-opaque area of the font, enabling the operator to position and align subsequent image characters for exposure without the need for independent mechanical indicators of position. The process of making such fonts likewise forms a part of my invention. Following complete exposure of the light-sensitive material it is developed into a positive print in the conventional manner.

b. Prior Art In the present state of the art phototypography is generally perform with the use of a negative font on which, while the image characters are clear and transparent, the background area is completely opaque, so that, following the exposure of an image character, the operator must rely on independent indicator members to position each succeeding image character to be exposed (see US. Pats. Nos. 2,800,062;2,890,634;and 2,920,54l Some of the disadvantages of this kind of font are that the operator must rely blindly on the independent indicator members to position the image characters with respect to one another for exposure, must rely on mechanical memory or indexing devices when the work is interrupted, is limited to fixed spacings and alignments of image characters as indicated by the indicator members, and is unable to view and proofread the complete composition until the light-sensitive material is developed. Other types of phototypography in present use employ complicated devices, including optical lenses and reflecting mirrors, to project an image from a font to a light-sensitive material, for visual positioning without pre-exposure of the light-sensitive material (see U.S. Pats. No. 3,003,406;3,059,554; and 3,098,416). This, of course, is impossible with contact exposure. The equipment used, as well, is complicated, cumbersome and expensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which provides a negative film or font, produced by a process to be hereinafter discribed, comprising a series of image characters, such as alphabetical letters, numbers, symbols or ornamental designs, disposed ina pre-arranged alignment, with the image characters clear and transparent, formed in a background area which is nonopaque butwhich acts as a filter for exposing light, being insensitive to any form of light, yet translucent enough to permit visibility therethrough of images disposed thereunder. For brevity the invention will hereinafter be called a "non-opaque font", and the background area the non-opaque area".

This font is employed with a specially prepared light-sensitive material, such as an emulsion coated paper or film, which has the capability or characteristic of oxidizing a small percentage of its silver content when exposed to ultraviolet light, thereby causing the formation of a latent image which can be seen through the non-opaque area of the font when superposed thereon.

With my invention not only are the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art avoided, but many important additional advantages result, some of which will be specifically mentioned while others will quickly become apparent to those skilled in the art.

One of the important objects of my invention, therefore, lies in the creation of a phototypographic font having background area which is non-opaque and light-filtering, whereby latent images formed on the light-sensitive material by prior exposures are visible through the non-opaque area of the font, thereby permitting the operator visually to position subsequent image characters, for exposure, relative to the already exposed images, quickly and accurately, without exposure of the light-sensitive material in undesired areas.

A second important object of my invention lies in the provision of a font of the type described by which the operator may progressively expose selected portions of the light-sensitive material to image characters on the font in selective variations of relationship, thereby allowing full creative control over the letter and line spacings of the composition.

A third important object of my invention lies in the provision of a font of the type described whereby one font may be readily substituted for another font in the course of the composition, thereby allowing the operator to vary and alternate the sizes, shapes and positions of the letters, and add ornamental designs or symbols thereto.

A fourth important object of my invention lies in the provision of a nonopaque, light-filtering font of the type described which permits the operator to remove the light-sensitive material and proofread it prior to chemical development.

Still another important object of my invention lies in the creation of a font of the type described which permits the operator to position same on the light-sensitive material to overlay the images.

Still another important object of my invention lies in the provision of a font of the type described which enables the operator to leave unfinished compositions and to return to the work with full knowledge of the point of stoppage.

Yet another object of my invention lies in the process of producing a font of the type described.

These and other salient objects, advantages and functional features of my invention will become more readily apparent from an examination of the following specification, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Brief description of the drawings.

FIG. I is a plan view of a preferred type of negative or font, made in accordance with my invention, comprising a sheet of negative film having background area which is non-opaque and light-filtering, and which serves to define a series of clear and transparent letters of the alphbet arranged in two aligned rows;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the font of FIG. I, partly broken away, shown disposed upon the light-sensitive material;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, showing previously exposed latent images visible through the non-opaque area of the font;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on lines 4 4 of FIG. 2, with a diagrammatic fragmentary view of an exposure lamp used with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of three variants of prints created by selective positioning of the font over the light-sensitive material in the course of exposure of individual letters;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a prior art apparatus with which my invention may be used, showing the font of FIG. 1 positioned thereon; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on lines 7- 7 of FIG. 6.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the difierent views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Illustrative of a preferred embodiment, my invention comprises a negative film or font 10, preferably having an acetate or Mylar base, having a non-opaque and light-filtering background area 12 in which are formed clear and transparent letters 14, arranged alphabetically in accordance with frequency of use, in two aligned rows 16 and 18, spaced equidistantly from the wide edges 20 of the font 10. The letters 14 may be of any uniform size, shape and style. As is apparent, numerals, symbols or ornamental designs may, instead, be formed as clear areas in the non-opaque font background area 12. The font is prepared by a chemical reverse bleach etch and redyeing process which will be hereinafter described, and which produces a background area 12 therein which is characterized in that it is impervious to exposing light and yet has a translucency which permits complete visibility of images disposed thereunder and in contact therewith.

The font 10 is used by placing it upon and in contact with a specially prepared photographic or light-sensitive material 22, such as an emulsion-coated paper or film, which has the capability of oxidizing a small percentage of its silver content when exposed to ultraviolet light, thereby forming on the light-sensitive material, within a matter of seconds, a visible latent image which is viewable through the non-opaque area 12 of the font 10. A paper of this kind is readily available in photographic supply stores.

In FIG. 2 the font I0 is shown upon and in contact with the light-sensitive paper 22, which is otherwise protected from exposure to light, above and below the font 10, by fixed light shields 24 and 26. The paper 22 is moveable transverse the font 10, so that it may be selectively shifted with respect to the font l0 and the shields 24 and 26, by rollers (not shown) disposed under and in contact with the sides of the paper 22, or by means of any other conventional advancement means known in the art.

A guide member 28, made of any sufficiently rigid material and which may be either opaque or transparent, is provided with its upper edge folded over and back on itself to form a groove 30 to support the lower edge of the font 10, the groove providing sufficient clearance for the font 10 so as to permit the latter to be slideable freely laterally therein and to permit the font 10 to be moved out of the groove 30 so that it may be raised with respect thereto and moved out of the groove 30 to be redisposed therein in reversal of position. Adhesive means (not shown) are used to secure the guide member 28 to the bottom shield 26. An ultra-violet lamp 32 is provided for the selective exposure of letters 14 onto the lightsensitive paper 22, and is enclosed in a casing 34 to confine and restrict the light exposure to the selected letter 14.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION below the lower shield 26 into the area beneath the font l0,

and may extend under the upper light shield 24, so that the paper 22 is at all times fully protected from accidental exposure. The font I0 is then moved laterally within the groove 30, until the first letter 14 to be exposed is properly positioned with respect to the paper 22. The casing 34 is then placed over the letter 14 so that only the selected letter is exposeable to the lamp 32, and the lamp 32 is energized to expose the letter 14 onto the paper 22. Following exposure the exposed portion of the paper 22 oxidizes slightly and a latent image of the letter appears, which is visible through the non-opaque area 12 of the font 10. The font 10 is then moved until the next letter I4 to be exposed is positioned at its proper place next to the latent image, and the procedure is repeated and thereafter continued until the full composition of text has been exposed to the paper 22. At this point the entire composition may be viewed in entirety through the font 10 by the operator, and proofread. The paper 22 is then removed under darkroom precautions, and developed into a positive print in the manner well known in the art.

In FIG. 3 there is shown the progress of operation to form the word VISUAL" on the paper 22. The already exposed and latent images of the letters V and I are visible through the non-opaque area 12, and the letter S is in position for exposure by the lamp 32. The complete word VISUAL" is shown on the first line of FIG. 5. The second and third lines of FIG. 5 shown completion of the word VISUAL" in two different variations of position. In the second line the font 10 has been progressively raised to expose the word at a uniformly ascending angle, while the third line shows the word formed in an arc shape. As is obvious, variations of composition with my invention are almost infinite, depending on the creativity of the operator, and include, to name but a few, tightening and expansion of spacings, overlays of letters, interposition of ornamental designs, alternating letter sizes by substituting fonts 10 in the course of composition, angling letters with respect to one another, and the like. As is also obvious, operation of my invention does not require darkroom conditions, but may be performed in indirect light conditions or semi-dim roomlight, sufiicient for the operator to have complete visibility necessary for the performance of the work.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown a prior art phototypographic machine 36 and lamp 38 (US. Pat. No. 2,887,024) with which my invention may be used, and which are readily adaptable for use with my font 10. The machine 36 comprises a housing 40 having light shields 42 and 44, between which the paper 22 is transported beneath the font l0, and a guide member 46 to support the font 10, the advancement of the paper 22 being accomplished by rotation of the knob 48, with extent of paper advancement measured in scale 50. The machine 36 is provided with an ultraviolet lamp 38 encased in a housing 52, adapted to be suspended, when not in use, on a standard 54 bymeans of a hook 56, and connected to an electric cord 58 leading to a power source (not shown).

As shown by FIG. 7, the housing 52 is provided with slideable side leaves 60 and rear leaf 62, by which'the opening in the housing 52 may be adjusted to the size of the particular letter 14 to be exposed onto the paper 22.

The machine 36 has the additional advantage of providing a filtered light (not shown) projecting from within the housing 40 through the paper 22 and font I0, to enhance visibility of the latent images through the font 10, although this is not essential to operation.

PROCESS OF MAKING THE FONT The fonts of my invention are created by a chemical reverse bleach, etch and redyeing process applied to a transparent film, such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, Mylar or the like, which has been coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, which has been exposed to a negative film of image characters. Briefly, the process encompasses a contact exposure of a negative film of image characters onto the emulsion-coated film, developing the exposed film, washing the film, placing the film in a chemical bath to soften the exposed silver and to bleach the unexposed portion of the emulsion, removing the softened, exposed silver by washing and wiping the film, placing the film into a chemical dye bath until the unexposed emulsion absorbs sufficient quantities of the dye, washing the film, subjecting the film to a fixitive bath containing a bleaching chemical to remove excessive amounts of the dye, again washing the film, introducing a wetting agent, and drying the film to become the non-opaque, light-filtering font.

In a preferred application of my process, for the creation of the font 10 of FIG. 1, a contact print is made under darkroom safelight conditions of a font of alphabetical letters, which may be a conventional negative with an opaque background and clear letters, onto a high contrast, orthochromatic emulsion on a transparent Mylar base. The exposed film is placed in a bath of high contrast developer. After adequate development the film is removed and rinsed in clear running water. This film is now placed in a chemical bath comprising the following components: 1 gal. of water, 1 gal of 3 percent Hydrogen of Peroxide, 2 oz. of Potassium Alum, 1 oz. of Potassium Bromide, 1 lb. of Copper Sulphate, and 1.2 lb. of citric acid. After adequate time elapses, usually between three and four minutes, the exposed silver on the film begins to soften and an action similar to reticulation begins to appear on the exposed areas of the film, and the film has undergone a bleaching. With this appearance the film is removed and introduced to a stream of water, and all of the exposed silver (letter areas) is removed by washing, as well as hand agitation and wiping with a soft sponge or similar material. The film is now washed in running water and then placed in a solution of Potassium Iodide, where it is left, usually for about ten minutes, until the unexposed area has albsorbed sufficient quantities of the chemical to absorb ultraviolet light radiation, thereby rendering it opaque to ultraviolet light transmission therethrough and insensitive to any form of light. The letter areas will remain clear and transparent.

The film is now once again washed in running water and placed for about two minutes in a fixitive bath of Potassium Alum, to harden the emulsion, and containing Sodium Thiosulphate, which serves to bleach out excessive amounts of the dye which has been absorbed, changing the color of the film background area to a light yellow. lBy referring to a prepared color chart, the amount of dye remaining in the film, and which is sufficient to make the film a filter for ultraviolet light transmission, may be accurately determined by comparison ofthe color of the film with the chart.

In the above described process for making the non-opaque font, the chemical dye used to dye the font turns the non-exposed area into a yellow filter. As is obvious to one skilled in the art a different chemical dye may be used, instead of the one described, to turn the font background area 12 into a red, blue or green filter, to absorb other light colors as well as ultraviolet, as desired, by subjecting the film, after bleaching, to a different chemical dye bath which will permit the dye to be absorbed by the film to turn the latter into the selected color, and thereafter, if desired, lighten the color of the film by a bleach bath as above described.

It is apparent, therefore, from the foregoing, that the font described, and the process of making it, are by way of illustration and not of limitation, and that various changes may be made in the construction, composition and arrangement of parts of the invention, as well as substitution of steps and chemical in the process, without limitation upon, or departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein, all of which are herein claimed.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A phototypographic font of image characters adapted to be phototypographically reproduced comprising a film provided with a translucent, ultra-violet-ray-absorbent background area and a series of clear, transparent image characters formed therein.

2. A phototypographic font as described in claim 1, the film comprising an emulsion-coated sheet of cellulose nitrate.

3. A phototypographic font as described in claim 1, the film comprising an emulsion-coated sheet of cellulose acetate.

4. A phototypographic font as described in claim 1, the film comprising an emulsion-coated sheet of Mylar. 

1. A phototypographic font of image characters adapted to be phototypographically reproduced comprising a film provided with a translucent, ultra-violet-ray-absorbent background area and a series of clear, transparent image characters formed therein.
 2. A phototypographic font as described in claim 1, the film comprising an emulsion-coated sheet of cellulose nitrate.
 3. A phototypographic font as described in claim 1, the film comprising an emulsion-coated sheet of cellulose acetate.
 4. A phototypographic font as described in claim 1, the film comprising an emulsion-coated sheet of Mylar. 